News
May 15, 2014
Welcome new members to the Fathers and Families team
On May 7, new staff members from our programs across the state gathered at the Sisters of Charity Foundation offices in Columbia for orientation.
It was a chance to welcome and get to know everyone who has joined our team in recent months.
Presentations were given by Center staff, including these two new members of the Center team:
Kiki Dean joined the Center in January 2014 as administrative assistant. Kiki is a veteran of the Air Force, where she served as a human resources manager. Before joining the Center, she worked with the South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Adult Education. Kiki provides administrative support to the Center team and Fatherhood Program staffs. Reach her at kdean@scfathersandfamilies.com.
Brad Warthen is helping us with communications. Brad is the director of communications and public relations at ADCO, a full-service advertising and marketing firm. Formerly, Brad was vice president and editorial page editor of The State newspaper. Brad works on contract with the Center on developing content for press releases, website and various publications; promoting the Center through social media, compiling the e-newsletter and helping to leverage and seize marketing and promotional opportunities. Reach him at brad@adcoideas.com.
Also present were the new staffers from across the state:
A Father's Place

Sandra Gowans -- Employability trainer -- Sandra is a native of Conway. She lived in various other parts of the country before returning home to raise her four children. She is grandma to one, stepmom of two and step-grandma of five. She holds a B.A. degree in educational psychology from Coastal Carolina University, and an M. Ed. from the University of South Carolina, and is studying for a doctorate in human services, focusing on nonprofit organizations.Reach her at sandragowans@afathersplace.org.
Othelia Britton -- Employability trainer -- Othelia was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She now resides in Georgetown with her family. She has an associate degree in early childhood education. She has also studied business administration and human services. Reach her at otheliabritton@afathersplace.org.
Jonathan Bennett Jr. -- Intervention Specialist I -- Jonathan, a native of St. Stephen, SC, is a certified Anger Management Specialist and a member of the National Anger Management Association. He is a Minister of the Gospel of Christ, through Now Faith Church of Hope Ministries, located in Myrtle Beach. He also serves there as an assistant, an usher, a minister of music and in any other area of the ministry where he is needed. Jonathan has studied Health Promotion and Physical Education at Coastal Carolina University. When he isn't working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, dining out and watching movies. He can be reached at jonathanbennett@afathersplace.org.
Cregory Adams -- Intervention Specialist I -- Creg is a native of Marion. He is a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He is married and is the father of two children. He can be reached at A Father's Place by email at cregoryadams@afathersplace.org.
Father to Father Project, Inc.
Harald Gibson -- Employability coach -- Harald was born in Monrovia, Liberia. He has an undergraduate degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge and a master's in social work from the University of Cincinnati. His work history includes having worked at the New Orleans World's Fair, and he once shook hands with First Lady Pat Nixon at the White House. He can be reached at the Father to Father Project by email at gibson.haraldsnoh@yahoo.com.
Arthur Washington -- Outreach coordinator -- Arthur was born in Marion, and has lived in Charleston since 1997. He holds an associate degree in marketing from Trident Technical College and plans to obtain another associate degree in human services alcohol and substance abuse counseling this spring. Reach him at washaj2009@yahoo.com.
Elmore Ragland -- Employment Opportunity Developer -- Elmore received his bachelor's degree in business from Voorhees College. He has been with the Father to Father Project for two and a half years. Before moving to Summerville, he worked for the Lowcountry Council of Governments in Yemassee as an on-the-job training specialist for the Workforce Investment Act program. While there, he obtained a Global Career Development Facilitator Certificate. Reach him at eragland@fathertofather.comcastbiz.net.
Afiyaa Fickling -- Program Assistant -- Afiyaa is a native of Newark, New Jersey, who relocated with her family to Columbia in 2000 to be closer to her great-grandmother. She attended Benedict College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration-marketing. While working in retail customer service, she obtained a master's degree in human resource management. Reach her at ajfickling@fathertofather.comcastbiz.net.
Lancaster Fatherhood Project

Man2Man


Midlands Fatherhood Coalition


Keith Ivey -- Employability Coach (Richland office) -- Keith is a father of four children with his wife (Latonya) of 14 years. He began his human services career in 1998 as a Child Care Counselor for at-risk youth. He first joined the Fatherhood Initiative program in 2003. He serves on the Board of Directors for Shiloh-Randolph Manor, as vice-chair for First Baptist Missionary Improvement Committee and as an empowerment counselor for at-risk youth in Sumter County. Reach him at kivey@cfeisc.com.
Upstate Fatherhood Coalition

